In class writing #1

Some of us our developed and grow into what we are and how we see ourselves by others who make the choice for us on how we should live and what we should be.
We are told to always be courteous to others and to turn the other cheek. Yet, people such as myself, are only courteous to those I feel are deserving, and turning the other cheek, is not close to who I am.
Growing up I was told that if I did not want people to run over me and treat me with disrespect, that I needed to stand up for myself and what I thought to be right. I am a firm believer that you will need to stand up for something, or you will fall for anything. Therefore, when the people we look to for guidance give us the direction they feel we need to go in, or share their beliefs with us, we tend to take on those characteristics, and shall I say mimic their identity. Yet, how do we come to know who we want to be, or how we want to present ourselves to the world?
My answer. Start challenging some of these beliefs and words of wisdom, or even stereotypes. I was told that people would not accept my relationship with my fiance' (Caucasian with an African-American), but I do not need their acceptance. We I go home at night, I don't care about whether others accept who I am planning to marry. I care about making sure my son is okay with school and his athletics, putting on coffee for my fiance', who works midnights, and letting the dog out.
Nietzsche points out how we are part of group, whether it be our family, our co-workers, or bowling league, that influence our thoughts and actions.
Which goes alongside our other readings that touch on things such as what we wear, how we are seen in terms of race by others, and what we are willing to do in order to fit in, like change our name.
Notions of leaders and followers in our digital age can be both complicated and maybe not so much. You have the leaders that believe that in order for us to grow we have to change with the times and conform to the forever evolving world around us. Which keeps us competitive. It has created easy access to kiddy porn, and a new improved way to steal identity. While some of your followers may be thinking that by the time they are up to speed on what's happening, there is a newer way that needs to be learned and require more of their time and effort. Yet, our leaders are thinking of these people and putting all sorts of help guides and "go-to's" to help make the transition.
Which one am I? Both. You never stop learning.